Hinge structure



Jan. 23, 194.0. p LAVlGNE 2,188,052

- HINGE STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 21. 1937 2 sheets-sheet 1 Jan. 23, 1.940. lY P. LAV|GNE 2,188,052

HINGE STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 2l, 1937 :2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J2ee/ Flai/gva .'35 features rof the present invention;

M40 Pig. 3 is a plan view taken Patented Jan. 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE aiaaosz HINGE STRUCTURE Application January 21 1937., Serial N0. 121,437

5 claims. (ci, 11g-13s;

This invention relates to mechanism adapted to be used as a hingeor'as a latch, or as a com` bination hinge and latch, of the type adaptable to hold a door, lid, or other pivoted member in .5 open position and adapted to be automatically released from its latched position by a further opening movement of the member. l

Objects ofthe invention are to provide a combination hinge and latch mechanism for use with 10 a pivoted panel member of such a construction that when the lid is opened to a normal extent, the latch mechanism will operate to hold the panel in such position, and when it is desired to close the panel, another outward movement of l5 the panel releasesthe latch mechanism whereby the panel may be returned to its closed position;

' to provide a combination hinge and latch structure having two members pivoted relative to each other, one of the members embracing the `sides .o oi the other member when the members are in their closed positions; to provide a rugged struclture which does not work loose and rattle after use; and to provide a rugged mechanism of the type mentioned that is simple in construction,

25 emcient in operation, andeconomical to produce.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specication, the drawings relating thereto,` and from the claims hereinafter' set -forth.

In the drawings, in which like numerals 'are used to designate like parts in the several `views throughout;

Figure 1 is a Iragmentaryside elevational view oi a vehicle illustrating a mechanism embo Fig. 2 is a partial side elevationall view, showing parts' in section, of the combinationjhinge and latch mechanismembodying features of the present invention;

substantially along thelinel-.Soi-PlmZ; v f, Pig. 4 is a cross-sectional, view, showing in elfegioi, taken substantially along the lmet-4 a side elevational view ofthe mechanismshowninPig 2'with the mechanismin af.

locked open position; s

Fig. 6 is-a cross-sectional viewtaken tiallyalong the line l-'8 of Fig. 5; 50 i Fig. '7 is a. cross-sectional view showing parts inelevatiom taken substantially along the line .lloil"is.6;'

rig. 8 is aview similar to Pig. 7 but sho-'wingv ,f the elements oi the mechanism in diferent rela'- u tive positions iromthose shown in Fig. 7; and

F1g.'9 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a modied structure for certain details of the pesent invention. s

The present 'invention is adapted for use in connection with any pivoted closure, or the like, 5

fand is particularly applicable for use in connection with the rear deck, or rear panel, o! motor vehicle bodies; and, accordingly, its application lthereto .will be described, and its application to otherdevices or members will be apparent there- 10 from. Rear deck panels of present day vehicle constructions are relatively large and heavy, and it is necessary to provide a rugged hinge and latch mechanism for properly hingedly mounting the' rear deck panel to the vehicle. The 15 structure of the present invention provides a rugged combination hinge and latchI mechanism and is' of such construction that the hinge does not loosen in use and affords a strong latch for maintaining the rear'deck panel Ain-an open posi.- 20 l For a better understanding lof the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which in Fig, 1 an automobile. body I0 is` illustrated having a, rear wall I2 which is pro. 354

vided with an opening therethrough over which a rear deck door or panel I4 is hingedly mounted ,in a manner to be -describedin detail. Upon opening of the door I4, access may be had through the opening in the rear wall to a storage 30 mounted within the vehicle structure at the rear 35- of the seat I5, and above the storage spacev by means of a hinge structure generally indicated at. I8. The hinge structure I'8` comprises arst member 20 and a second member 22 pivotally I connected together, the first' member being se` n "cured to the bracket I6 and the second member being'secured to a bracket 24,`which in turn is suitably secured, as' by spot welding. to the door panel I4 along. the upper edge of the door panel I4. v I. I a

The rst member 20 includes a pair of similar elements 28 and 28,ieach of the elements having a base portion I0 andl an outstandingl arm por- #tion 32 adjacent one end `ei the base portion 30.

Each of the elements and 28 is provided with 50 an outwardly directedilange. ,along the edge 2 of the base portion 30; -and each "of the iiange's ,u is provided lwitnelongated `openings 38 therethrough for receiving bolts 38 for adju'stablyy Imounting the drst memberiu to the bracket` l to each other adjacent the base by means of a pin member 48 having reduced end portions forming shoulders which abut against the inner faces of the elements 26 vand 28 to fix said elements in spaced relation to each other. The reduced end portions of the member 48 extend through openings in the members 26'and 28, and those portions of the member 48 which extend beyond the elements 26 and 28 are upset to fix the elements 26 and 28 relative to each other.

The outstanding arm portions 32 of the elements 26 and 28 are bent inwardly, as indicated at 42, so that the arm portions 32 are not spaced from each other to asgreat an extent as the base portions 30. A pin member 44, similar to the pin member 48, separates and xes the arm portions 32 in spaced relation to each other adjacent the outer ends of the arm portions.

Aligned openings 46 are provided through the arm portions 32 adjacent the outer ends thereof which are adapted torotatably receive therein a pivot pin 48. A ratchet wheel 58 is iixedly secured to the pivot pin 48 for rotation therewith and is interposed between the arm portions 32 of the elements 26 and 28 adjacent the outer ends thereof.. Washers 52 are preferably interposed between the inner sides of the arm portions 32 and the ratchet-wheel 58 to maintain the ratchet-wheel 58 in alignment.V The ends of the pivot pin 48 extend outwardly beyond the sides of the arms 32 and are preferably attened on opposite sides, being substantially rectangular in cross section, as indicated for example in Fig. 7.

Detent wheels 54 are flxedly secured to the opposite projecting ends of the pivot pin 48 for rotation therewith. The construction and arrangement of the ratchet-wheel 58, the pivot pin 48, and the detent wheels 54, are such relative to the member 28 that rotation of the ratchet-wheel 58 causes corresponding rotation of the detent wheels 54. Each of the detent wheels is constructed with a pl'urality of outwardly directed abutments or stops 56 in equally spaced relation to each other, adjacent the outer peripherythereof, and substantially normal 'to the faces of the wheels. The abutments 56 provide spaces therebetween, the' arrangement of the abutments and ,spaces being such that pairs of abutments and pairs of spaces,

respectively, are diametrically opposed to each other for a reason to become more apparent hereinafter.

As best shownin Figs. 7 and 8,- a stop pawl 58 is pivotally mounted on the pin 44 between the arm portions 32 and engages theteeth of the ratchet wheel 50 so as to prevent rotation of the ratchetwheel in one direction and permit rotation in the opposite direction. Aspring member 60 is x'dly secured relative to the arm portion 32 and engagesthe pawl 58 constantly urging it into engage- .ment with the ratchet-wheel 58.

The second member 22 comprises a pair of similar elements 62 and 64 which are spaced and fixed relative to each other by a pin 66 similar in construction to the pin 48 and a pin 68 alsorsimilarin construction to the pin 40. Each of the elements 62 and 64 has a'base portion 18 having outwardly directed flanges 12 with elongated openings 14. therethrough which. receive bolts 16 for suitably'securing the membr22 to the bracket member 24. Each of the-elements 62 and `64 also has a U-shaped portion 'I8 integral with the base portion In-adjacent the free ends thereof and the outer ends of the U-shaped portions embracing the outer sides of the base portions 38 of the-elements 26 and 28, respectively, when the members4 4are in closed position.

Openings 'are provided through the outer ends of the U-shaped portions which are adapted to receive therethrough a pivot pin 88 which also passes through the elements 26 and 28 to thereby pivotally mount the members .20 and 22 relative to each other. The pivot pin 88 may be provided with a sleeve 82 interposed between the inner faces of the elements 26 and 28 to rigidly maintain these elements in spaced relation. Strips 64 are fixed and extend over a portion of the length of the U-shaped portion to stiifen these portions; and inwardly directed anges 85 of predetermined length are provided at the pivot ends of the strips 84 to provide stops and thereby limit the movement of the members 28 and 22 relative to each other.

The inner sides of the U-shaped portions of the elements 62 and 64 adjacent the base portion 'I8 are curved and have inwardly directed anges 86 of predetermined length.' When the hinge members 20 and 22 are in closed position, as shown in Figure 2, the flanges 86 extend outwardly beyond the abutments 5B of the detent wheels, as indicated at 86, and extend substantially diametrically across the detent wheels through diametrically' wheel also preferably lies substantially in the same arc.

A pawl member 88 is pivotally secured at one end to the member 22 intermediate the elements 62 and 64; and preferably is in the form of a spring strip which extends along the curved portion of the U-shaped portion and is bent inwardly adjacent its end. A projection 92 is formed on the pawl 98 adjacent its end and is adapted to engage the ratchet-wheel, in a manner to be described more in detail hereinafter, to rotate the ratchet-wheel a predetermined distance. A.pin 84 is suitably secured to the elements 62 and 64 extending therebetween and engages the back surface of the pawl 98 and constantly urges it in a direction towards the ratchet-wheel, so as to insure engagement with, and operation of, the ratchet-wheel when the hinge is open.

As a modied structure, as shown in Figure 9, the, strip spring pawl may be replaced with a solid pawl member 96 which is pivotally secured to the elements 62 and 64 of the member 22 and which is resiliently urged into engagement with the ratchet-wheel by-means of a spring 8l fixediy secured to the member 22.

In Figs. 1 to 4, the door panel I4 and the hinge I8 are illustrated in a closed position; and in order to provide an effective seal between the vehicle and the panel I4 around the edges there the rear wall I2 is provided with an outwardy opening channel |02 around the vedges of the opening into the storage compartment, and a rethe sides of theU-shaped portions 'I8 adjacent the pivot pin 88 snugly and slidably embrace the opposite outer surfaces of the base portions of the member 20, these parts thus interlocking to positively. prevent any movement except about thepivot pin 80, and thus provide a rigid hinge structure for rmly holding the panel in its proper position when closed. When the members 28 and- 22 are in closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, the projecting end 88 of rthe ilange 86 extends. outwardly through the abutments 56 of and beyond the detent wheel 54 so that there is no possibility of the wheel 54 turning when the panel is closed so'as to bring one pair of the abutments 58 into Yline with the ends of the anges 88 vand locking the door panel against outward or opening movement. l

In the embodiment illustrated, the detent wheel is providedwith four equally spaced abutments 56. therearound, kthus .providing four equally spaced spaces between the abutments; but it is -to be understood that this number of abutments may be varied within the scope and teachings of the present invention. With four equally spaced abutments and four equally spaced spaces', it is spaces above mentioned. As the member 22 approaches'its outermost position of travel, the engaging portion 92 of the pawl 90 engages a tooth of the ratchet-wheel 58, and continued outward Y movement of the member 22 causes rotation of the ratchet wheel and therefore rotation of the detent wheels 54. Also. as the member22 reaches its outermostbposition, the ange 88 is oi such length that the innerjend 88 of the ange has passed across and beyond the peripheryz of the detent wheel 50, permitting the movement of the detent wheel andcausing one of the abutments 58 to be placed in line with and behind the flange 88A adjacent the Vend 88, as shown in Figure `5. The door panel Il may then be permitted to recede slightly and this will cause a slightly reverse movement of the member 22 relative to the member 28, and as one of the abutments 58 has at this time been moved to a position inline with the end 89 of each of the flanges 88, the ends 88 will strike against the abutments 58 and further downward movement of -the member 22 is thereby prevented. A door panel I4 is thereby locked in its open position and is held in that position until released.

To 'release the door panel virom its locked position and permit it to be closed, the panel Il' is again moved outwardly,as shown -in Fig. 8 and the engaging portion s2 oi the pawl 88 again engages a tooth of the ratchet-wheel 50, causing' rotation of the ratchet-wheel andcalso rotation 4of the detent wheel to thereby rotate the abutments 58 and move the` abutments away from alignment lwith the. ilanges 88. ,The ange 88 may then pass through thespaces between the 'abutments 58 and the door may be dropped to its complete position and again assumev the position lshown in F1852.

Fromthe above it is evidentthat a rugged and emcient ,combination hinge and :latch mechanism isprovided bythepresent invention. q y,

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the invention described without said detent wheels. .and

departing from the spirit and substance ofthe broad invention, the scope of which is commensu rate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. A hinge and latch mechanism comprising a first member and'a'second member. said second member having a U-shaped portion pivotally connected to said first member adjacent one end of l said U-sh'aped portion, said iirst member having a projecting portion extending transversely of said U-shaped portion, a ratchet-wheel rotatively i mounted adjacent the end of said projecting portion, a detent wheel fixedly secured for rotation with said ratchet-wheel, the U-shaped portion of said second member having an abutment which strikes against the detent wheel or passes thereby depending upon the rotative position of said detent wheel, and means on saidsecond member engaging said ratchet-Wheel to rotate said ratchet-wheel upon relative pivotal movement oi.' said first and second members to thereby rotate said detent wheel alternately to its stopping and clear positions.

2. A hinge and latch mechanism comprising a -I first member and a second member, said second member having a U-shaped portion pivotally connected' to said first member adjacent one end of said U-shaped portion, said first member having an arm, a ratchet-wheel rotatively/mounted on said arm, a detent wheel iixedly secured for rotation with said ratchet-wheel, said detent wheel having spaced projections adjacent the outer periphery thereof and extending outwardly from the face of said.wheel, the U-shaped portion of said second member having an inwardly directed ange of predetermined length, and means on said second member engaging said ratchet-wheel to rotate said ratchet-wheel upon relative pivotal movement of saidrst and second members, the construction and arrangement of said detent wheel, said ilange and said last named means lbeing such that upon reversal rof alternately opposite movement between said rst and second members beyond a predetermined range of movement, one of said projections on said detent wheel will be caused to be alternately moved into abutting relation with said ange and prevent movement of said members relative to each other in one direction, and upon further relative movement of said members relative to each other will be moved to a clear position to permit said ange to pass by said detent wheel.

3. A hinge and latch mechanism comprising a rst member having a base and an arm extending outwardly from said base, a ratchet-wheel rotatively mounted on said arm, detent wheels on opposite sides of said armiixedly secured for rotation with said ratchet-wheel, a second member having spaced U-shaped portions, said U-shaped portions beingpivotally connected to said base adjacent one end o! said U-shaped portions and embracing the sidesof said base, said U-shaped portions having curved inwardly directed flanges which strike against the detent wheels or pass thereby depending upon the rotative position of eans on said second member'engaging said ratchet-wheel tomrotate said ratchet-wheel upon relative pivotal movement of said rst and second members to thereby rotate said` detent wheels alternately to' their stopping and clear positions.r

4. A hinge and latchmechanism comprising a ilrst member having a. base and arm, a ratchetwheel `rotatively mounted on said arm, detent wheels ilxedlyA `secured for rotation with said ratchet-wheel, said detent wheels each having outwardly directed projections at spaced intervals around thev periphery thereof, a second 4member having substantially U`-shaped portions pivotally connected to said base adjacent the outdetent wheel, and means on said second member.

engagingfsaid,ratchet-wheel to rotate said ratchet-wheel upon-relative pivotal movement of said irsty and second members to thereby rotate said detent wheels alternately to their stopping and clear position.

5. A hinge and latch mechanism comprising a rst member anda second member, said second membeilhavinga substantially U-shaped portion pivotallyconnected to said iirst member adjacent one end of said U-shaped portion, said rst member having an arm, a ratchet-wheel rotatively tions of said detent Wheel or passes through the l spaces between said projections depending upon the rotative position of said detent wheel, and means on said second member engaging said ratchet-wheel to rotate said ratchet-wheel upon relative pivotal movement of said iirsirand second members to thereby position one ofsthe projections on said detent wheel alternately to a position in line with said liange to lock said ilrst and second members relative to each other against movement in one direction, and to a posltion clear of said ange to permit relative movement in the same direction of said rst and second members.

' JOSEPH P. LAVIGNE. 

